Pre-season goal number four is celebrated by Danny Kedwell Pic:Keith Gillard

by Luke Cawdell

Danny Kedwell scored the only goal of the game as Gillingham beat Charlton in Saturday’s friendly at Priestfield.

It made it six wins from six for Martin Allen’s side so far in their pre-season campaign.

Gills’ winner came on 26 minutes from a well-executed set-play and it was Kedwell (pictured) who was in the right place at the right time.

It was an almost identical goal to the one he scored the previous week at Ebbsfleet, as he flicked a Charlie Lee throw past the keeper and into the corner of the net. It took Kedwell’s pre-season tally to four.

Charlton’s best opportunity to get themselves level came almost immediately but Gills keeper Stuart Nelson did well to deny Bradley Wright-Phillips, as he lined up a lob from the edge of the box.

Towards the end of the half Nelson also got down well to save Jordan Cook’s angled shot.

Martin Allen’s Gillingham side had played some nice tidy football at times and they took their lead into the break.

Charlton gave Gills an early scare after the turnaround but an acrobatic effort from Jann Kermorgant went wide. It was one of few goal opportunities for either side early in the second half.

A big following from Charlton had few moments to shout about in a match where there was little to indicate the gap of two divisions between the sides. Pre-season it still might be but this was another positive display from the Gills.

Lee – wearing the captain’s arm band again for the Gills – almost doubled the lead with a header that looped just over. It followed a good spell of pressure from Allen’s men.

Charlton’s Bradley Pritchard twice went close for the visitors late on but was unable to find the target.

Gills: Nelson, Fish, Martin, Flanagan, Davies, Payne, Lee (Birchall 80mins), Whelpdale, Dack (Jackman 61mins), Kedwell (Allen 84mins), Strevens (Montrose 61mins). Subs: Forecast, Evans, Brown.

Charlton: Hamer, Solly, Wiggins, Jackson, Morrison, Cort (Dervite 61mins), Pritchard, Stephens, Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Haynes 68mins), Cook (Hollands 77mins). Subs: Wagstaff, Sullivan, Taylor, Wilson, Kerkar.